Rónán Mullen (Independent)

Following on from the points raised yesterday by my colleague, Senator Coffey, I propose an amendment to the Order of Business to allow us to discuss last week's decision by the Cabinet to exclude new applicants to the fourth round of the rural environment protection scheme. This is an important source of income to many small farmers, being worth an average of more than €8,000. Many farmers are dependent on this revenue as part of what is a meagre income by today's standards. We should show solidarity with the farmers protesting against this decision in Dublin today. Will the Leader facilitate even a short debate on the matter?

It is odd that the Seanad will not assemble even for a short period in the coming weeks to discuss a report as significant as that of an bord snip nua. Despite the many challenges the State faces, it seems we must put something as trivial as scheduling ahead of the national interest.

With apologies to Senator Daly, I ask the Leader to allow a debate at some future date on how we might become more like the House of Lords. Last evening, the British Government suffered a defeat when Members of the House of Lords voted to remove a clause which would have brought an end to the common travel area between our two islands.